Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Hair Weave Culture

This week, a landmark decision has been made in Congress to overturn the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military. But for women, the long-existing unspoken rule of not asking and not telling lives strong in the weave, wig and hair extension communities.

Don't act like you don't know what this is ladies!But for those who don't know, this is an unattached weave.

Everyone from Paris Hilton to Jessica Simpson, who has come clean and admitted her own weave wearing habits, has worn a fake hair piece at some point in their career.

Looks good, doesn't it?

Simpson has been a pioneer in abandoning the unspoken, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in weave culture by coming out with her own line of hair extensions made from real human hair.

Attitudinal Real Housewife of Atlanta, Sheree Whitfield, also admits to rockin' a weave. Meanwhile, her co-star Kim Zolciak is a full on wig wearer, which is a less natural look.

Her look says: Don't mess with my weave, bee-yatches!

But some mega-celebrities, with thick and luscious locks, have not been so quick to come clean about their alleged weaves:

Is it her hair or is it a weave?

The Queen of Talk has denied rumors that she is wearing a weave, but those in the blogosphere have been skeptical. Whatever the truth is, we still love you Mama Oprah... real or fake... tracks or no tracks. (BTW, for those who don't know (or pretend not to know) what a "track" is, then click here for a multimedia presentation).

But getting back on track, the business of hair weaving is a multi-million dollar industry. Comedian Chris Rock explains in his hair documentary, Good Hair.

OK, so it is clear that African-American women are deep into the weave culture... but what about my blonde sisters? Well, according to the New York Times, the demand for blond weaves is so high, that it is actually becoming a way that poor Russian women can pull themselves out of poverty -- they cut off their healthy blonde locks and then sell them to wealthy Americans in search of gold-toned extensions.

But if this is a multi-million dollar industry... maybe even billion dollar industry... then why do women feel the need to not ask and not tell?

It could be sheer embarrassment at the fact that one cannot grow her own thick and long, and what is perceived as beautiful hair. It could also have nothing to do with shame and more to do with simply wanting to add thickness to thin hair, length to short hair, or color to uncolor-treated hair.

For others, wearing a weave is just a style thing. Maybe you want a quick change without the commitment of a hair cut or time it takes to grow your hair naturally.

Whatever the reason, I am calling for a revolution in the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in weave culture. As an occassional weave wearer myself...

Yes, my friends. It is a weave!I'm coming out of the closet!

I have found that wearing fake hair gives my real hair a break from all of the heat I normally use in styling tools like curling irons and flat irons, which ultimately damage my hair.

If you would like to come out of the hair weaving closet and profess the benefits of your own "piece" or "track," then please leave your comments below. (I'm sure they will be appreciated by some girl, somewhere, who is in desperate need of a hair weave).